Fr. William Rock Archives - TAN Direction - Catholic Spiritual Direction From the Saints and Faithful Modern Authors

Why God Wants Us to Pray Prayers of Petition

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

In the Gospels, Our Lord tells us that the “Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him” (Matt 6:8). If God already

When God Does Not Answer Prayers

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

In the first place, when God does not answer one’s prayer, one should exercise humility. Humility is accurate self-knowledge. One who is humble will recognize that as

Why God Does Not Answer Prayers (Part II)

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

Previously, it was discussed that God refuses our prayers if we ask amiss, as St. James explains in his Epistle (4:3). God will not grant us

Why God Does Not Answer Prayers (Part I)

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

In His Last Supper Discourse, Our Lord spoke to His Apostles the following: “Amen, amen, I say to you: If you ask the Father any

Pope Pius X and Frequent Communion (Part II)

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

Previously, it was recounted that there was a time in the Church’s history, and not too long ago at that, when the frequent or daily

Pope Pius X and Frequent Communion (Part I)

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

There was a time in the Church’s history, and not too long ago at that, when the frequent or daily reception of Holy Communion was

Four Ends of Prayer

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

Spiritual writers often distinguish between four ends of prayer, that is, four reasons why one may go to prayer. They are usually articulated as: Adoration, Thanksgiving, Contrition (or Expiation), and Petition.By Adoration, the one at prayer acknowledges that God is, in-and-of Himself,

Attention at Prayer

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

Prayer is conventionally divided into Vocal Prayer and Mental Prayer. Vocal Prayer, even if it is not spoken, consists of formulaic prayers. So, prayers such as the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, and Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, even if they are not spoken aloud,

Growing in Sanctifying Grace

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

In a previous article, the Infused Virtues, the Gifts of the Holy Ghost, and the supernatural acts of one who possessed them were discussed. At

The Virtues and the Gifts: Supernatural Actions

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

In a previous article, it was stated that Sanctifying Grace provides the necessary equality between the sanctified man and God for the existence of friendship

Returning Another Way

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

The word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek “ἐπιφάνεια,” [epipháneia] which means “manifestation,” and the Feast of the Epiphany, kept on January 6th, the 13th Day

Inequality in Friendship

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

In a previous article, it was stated that just as there is an analogy between the natural life of man and the supernatural life of

Knowledge of God and Friendship

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

The following is the beginning of a series by the author. In a friendship, having correct knowledge of one’s friend is necessary and foundational. For

The Holy Eucharist – Past, Present, and Future

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

In the Magnificat Antiphon for Second Vespers of the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Church sings “O sacrum convívium, in quo Christus súmitur: recólitur memória